Top 10 Shark Movies Ever Ranked

One of my earliest fears was of bodies of water that may or may not be hiding a people-eating shark beneath their calm surfaces. Shark movies fueled this paranoia, constantly reminding me that the world's natural order could strike at any moment.

The concept of shark films might seem straightforward—vacationers, boaters, or divers being hunted by one or more sharks—but many films struggle to execute it well. When done right, however, shark movies deliver an adrenaline-pumping experience that can make you wary of entering any body of water for a long time.

So, grab your Shark Spray. Here are our picks for the top 10 shark movies of all time. If you're hungry for more creature thrills, don't miss our guide to the greatest monster movies.

Top Shark Movies of All Time

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10. Shark Night (2011)

Image credit: Rogue
Director: David R. Ellis | Writer: Will Hayes, Jesse Studenberg | Stars: Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Chris Carmack | Release Date: September 2, 2011 | Review: IGN's Shark Night review | Where to watch: Peacock, free with ads on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, rent from Apple TV and more

The ratio of "alpha" to "minnow" in shark movies leans heavily toward the negative, but movies like Shark Night make the list for their general competence. Vacationers in the Louisiana gulf are attacked by backwoods maniacs who take their Shark Week obsession to the extreme by attaching cameras to ferocious sharks. It's absurd—like a Great White jumping out of the water to decapitate a man on a WaveRunner. The original theatrical billing as "Shark Night 3D" captures the early 2010s horror vibe it aims for (translation: popcorn entertainment), and it succeeds. Credit the late David R. Ellis for this "better with booze" bite of jaw-dropping fun, even if it's not the shiniest lure in the tackle box.

9. Jaws 2 (1978)

Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Writer: Carl Gottlieb, Howard Sackler | Stars: Roy Scheider, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton | Release Date: June 16, 1978 | Review: IGN's Jaws 2 review | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms

Jaws 2 may not surpass its predecessor, but it holds its own in a genre with few strong sequels. Roy Scheider returns to protect Amity Island from another Great White, this time targeting water skiers and beachgoers. It's more action-oriented—a shift that cost original director John D. Hancock his job because he wasn't suited for such scenes—and picks up the familiar storytelling thread. While it has its flaws, it also features exploding boats and more underwater chaos with enough skill to keep viewers engaged. If it ain't broke, why not turn it into a franchise?

8. Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Director: John Pogue | Writer: Dirk Blackman | Stars: Tania Raymonde, Nathaniel Buzolic, Emerson Brooks | Release Date: July 28, 2020 | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms

There are two Deep Blue Sea sequels, but Deep Blue Sea 3 significantly rebounds from the disappointment of its predecessor, echoing the original's shark-filled thrills. Scientists on the artificial island of Little Happy, trying to protect Great White sharks, encounter mercenaries and bull sharks that threaten their safety—a classic B-movie setup. The film delivers martyrdom explosions, action-packed brawls with aerial Bull Shark tag-team action, comical memes turned into character deaths, and one of the most unexpected victories in recent shark movie history. Kudos to the cast and crew for delivering an aquatic horror film that exceeds expectations for direct-to-video sequels and celebrates the absurd entertainment value of shark cinema.

7. The Meg (2018)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Jon Turteltaub | Writer: Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber | Stars: Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson | Release Date: August 10, 2018 | Review: IGN's The Meg review | Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rentable on Apple TV and more

Jason Statham versus a 75-foot-long shark from the Mariana Trench? I wish The Meg wasn’t toned down to PG-13 and trimmed some narrative fat, but as a blockbuster aquatic horror spectacle, it delivers on its ancient premise. Danger lurks as the massive Megalodon tries to shatter dive cages and underwater research facilities, while Statham uses his expert diving skills to thwart the supposedly extinct predator. A talented cast including Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Cliff Curtis attempt to stop the Megalodon from treating beachgoers like snacks—albeit with varying success—as the film blends Kaiju Lite tropes with surprisingly engaging soap opera dramatics. What's promised on the package is there, making The Meg a satisfying cinematic splash.

2023 brought the arrival of The Meg 2, but the sequel didn't quite live up to the original. In fact, it's "bigger and badder in all the wrong ways" according to our review. As such, it doesn't earn a place on our list of the best shark films.

6. Open Water (2003)

Image credit: Lions Gate Films
Director: Chris Kentis | Writer: Chris Kentis | Stars: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein | Release Date: October 26, 2003 | Review: IGN's Open Water review | Where to watch: Hoopla, VIX and VUDU Free (with ads), or rentable on other platforms

While Jaws relied on a mechanical shark and many films use CGI, Open Water opts for real sharks to achieve authenticity. Filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, producer Laura Lau, avid scuba divers, aimed to capture as much natural behavior as possible. They also served as cinematographers, using their diving expertise to ensure the footage met their standards. The result feels different from the more entertainment-focused films on this list, as an American couple finds themselves stranded miles from shore in shark-infested waters. Though not the most action-packed, it's suspenseful and harrowing.

5. Bait (2012)

Image credit: Paramount Pictures
Director: Kimble Rendall | Writer: Russell Mulachy, John Kim | Stars: Xavier Samuel, Sharni Vinson, Adrian Pang | Release Date: September 5, 2012 | Where to watch: fuboTV, Starz, or rentable on other platforms

Before Crawl trapped family members in a flooded crawl space with alligators during a category 5 hurricane, Bait trapped patrons and workers inside a supermarket with agitated Great White sharks during a freak tsunami. Credit Australia for one of the better recent shark films, as survivors rig diving gear from shopping carts and parking lots become hunting grounds. The blend of effects keeps the aquatic thrills tense and bloody, with the action ramping up. The tsunami interrupts a robbery, forcing criminals and clerks to work together against the swimming killers. Bait is as compelling as Crawl, sitting in a unique subgenre of "When Animals Attack in Trapped Locations During Freak Weather Incidents."

4. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Image credit: Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Director: Johannes Roberts | Writer: Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera | Stars: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt | Release Date: June 12, 2017 | Review: IGN's 47 Meters Down review | Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, or rentable on other platforms.

The ticking clock in 47 Meters Down adds a layer of panic to an already frantic underwater escape. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters trapped on the ocean floor after a disastrous shark diving expedition, unable to move without attracting the sharks. The film effectively uses the vast, dark underwater landscape to heighten the tension, with sharks lunging into frame. It's nerve-wracking and intense, showcasing the best of shark cinema.

3. Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Image credit: Warner Bros.
Director: Renny Harlin | Writer: Duncan Kennedy, Donna Powers, Wayne Powers | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J, Saffron Burrows | Release Date: July 28, 1999 | Review: IGN's Deep Blue Sea review | Where to watch: Rent from Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and more

A movie that inspires an LL Cool J song must be doing something right. "Deepest, bluest, my hat is like a shark's fin" captures the 90s outrageousness of Deep Blue Sea, a film about genetically enhanced Mako sharks and corporate greed. The cast fights to escape their own creation, but even Samuel L. Jackson isn't safe from becoming a snack. While the CGI might look dated, the practical effects of sharks floating down hallways or in flooded kitchens are still impressive. Deep Blue Sea embraces the "nonsense" of creature features in the best way, showcasing karma's razor-sharp teeth.

2. The Shallows (2016)

Image credit: Sony Pictures
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra | Writer: Anthony Jaswinski | Stars: Blake Lively | Release Date: June 21, 2016 | Review: IGN's The Shallows review | Where to watch: Starz, or rent on Amazon and other platforms

Blake Lively faces off against a formidable shark in The Shallows. Jaume Collet-Serra demonstrates his skill as a blockbuster filmmaker, using minimal locations (rock formation, water, buoy) to build intense tension. Lively's performance against a convincingly terrifying CG shark elevates the film, which holds up remarkably well. Collet-Serra dives straight into an impossibly dire situation, delivering unrelenting intensity from start to finish.

1. Jaws (1975)

Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg | Writer: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb | Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss | Release Date: June 20, 1975 | Review: IGN's Jaws review | Where to watch: Rentable on Amazon and other platforms

Steven Spielberg revolutionized the summer blockbuster with Jaws, the undisputed king of shark movies. Despite struggles with the animatronic Great White, the film's success, with a box office of $476.5 million, was well worth it. Jaws masterfully builds suspense, saving its ace, a people-eating shark named Bruce, for the perfect moment. This New England tale about a mayor prioritizing tourist revenue over safety remains terrifying, with the memory of Alex Kintner's fate still fresh in viewers' minds. Decades later, there's no doubt—Jaws is the best shark movie of all time.

Upcoming Shark Movies

For those eager for more shark movies, several are currently in development or announced. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming shark movies:

• Fear Below - May 15, 2025
• Beneath the Storm - August 1, 2025
• High Tide - TBC
• Dangerous Animals - TBC

When Is Shark Week in 2025?

Shark Week 2025 will take place from July 6 to July 13, 2025, with the Discovery Channel set to air a variety of shark-related content.